Sandman Book Arch

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The Book Arch at Sandman Books

This massive art installation is a paper sculpture made of books that were destined for the recycle bin. Instead of being destroyed, the orphaned tomes were repurposed into a work of sustainable art by Scott Hill & Will Corner. The poetry of the elder books providing support for their intellectual descendants is not lost on booklovers, and the Book Arch has become a "must see" tourist attraction for visitors to Punta Gorda.

Inspired by the artists' original arch on Burnt Store Road, aspects of the Book Arch were carefully deconstructed and relocated to 5240 Duncan Road when the bookstore moved there in 2019. It has settled into its new home well - stop by and see it as soon as you have the chance!

There is also a construction journal on our blog

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Book Arch Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida Used New Library Bookstore Sell Rainbow Picture Photo Op Opportunity Tourism Tourist Artwork Art Local Art Sculpture

A close-up picture of the Book Arch at Sandman Books Punta Gorda, Florida. Used New Library Bookstore Sell Rainbow Picture Photo Op Opportunity Tourism Tourist Sustainable Artwork Art Local Art Sculpture

A picture of the resident bookstore black cat, Kitty-Wan Kenobi, in front of the Book Arch at Sandman Books, Punta Gorda, Florida. Star Wars Fans Book Lovers Wedding Book Arch Sustainable Local Artwork Sculpture Landmark Tourism Pet Friendly Vacation Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library Rainbow Unique Unconventional Wedding Venue
Black Cat with Book Arch

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A close-up of the red books in the Book Arch at Sandman Books, Punta Gorda, Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Heidi Lange and Scott Hill, owners of Sandman Books, stand in front of the Book Arch and smile. Punta Gorda Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

A wide shot of the entire Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Book Arch by David Sussman. A wide shot of the Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library Local Photography Gallery
Photo by David Sussman

A close-up of one arch of the Book Arch local sustainable artwork installation at Sandman Books Bookstore, Punta Gorda, Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

A shot of one of the arches from the side. Book Arch Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Weddings & Engagements

The Book Arch is a great place for booklovers to tie the knot! More than one wedding has already taken place at this location and several are planned for the future. 

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Image by Brian C Idocks 

Costumes & Selfies

Cosplayers and bookish fashionistas flock to the Book Arch for selfies with this amazing background.

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A photo of Scott Hill dressed in Dr. Strange attire, professionally edited and taken by David Sussman. Cosplay Marvel DC Comic Book Lovers Professional Photography Gallery Local Artist Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library
Photo © David Sussman. Costume made by Heidi Lange, worn by Scott Hill.

A professional photo of Heidi Lange in Cruella de Ville attire, edited and taken by David Sussman, local photographer. Local Professional Photography Artist Gallery Disney Cosplay Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library
Photo © David Sussman. Costume made and worn by Heidi Lange. 

A professional photo of Narissa Pannell in Ursula attire, taken and edited by David Sussman, local photographer. Disney Cosplay Professional Photography Gallery Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library
Photo © David Sussman. Costume made by Heidi Lange, worn by Narissa Pannell. 

A professional photo of Heidi Lange in Poison Ivy attire, taken and edited by David Sussman. DC Comics Comic Book Lovers Cosplay Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library
Photo © David Sussman. Costume made and worn by Heidi Lange. 

A photo of Morgan Katsarelas in Belle attire, taken by Sandman Books. Beauty and the Beast Book Arch Belle Disney Books Bookstore Book Arch Archway Art Artwork Sculpture Local Tourist Tourism Childrens Kids Library
Image © Sandman Books. Model and costume designer: Morgan Katsarelas. 

How was it made?

Scott Hill (a native of Michigan) designed and built all the shelves at Sandman Books, as well as the art installation known as The Book Arch. When the time came to move the store, Scott was joined by the late Will Corner and they redesigned the Arch to fit more beautifully into the new location. Will's special project was the double rainbow, constructed of recycled vintage pulp fiction paperbacks.

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Photo © Sue Wade 

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Scott Hill and Will Corner help construct the Book Arch. Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Scott Hill smiles for the camera while constructing the book arch. Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Bokos lined up on shelves, waiting to be used in the construction of the book arch. Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Books lined up on the floor, waiting to be used in the construction of the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Scott Hill constructs the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Silks by Dick Francis and a Michael Crichton book feature in the construction of the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Books stacked to be used in construction of the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Books stacked to be used in the construction of the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Books stacked, to be used in construction of the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Books with holes drilled in them sit stacked together, waiting to be used in the construction of the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Scott Hill and his father load the truck to move the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Scott Hill wipes off the newly-stained blue wooden counter, used for checkout in the new Sandman Books location.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

Scott Hill re-constructs the book arch in our new location.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

The book arch in the process of being carefully reconstructed at our new location.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

A close-up of some of the recycled books used for the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library

A close-up of the recycled paperbacks with colored edges used for the rainbow part of the book arch.  Book Arch in Sandman Books Punta Gorda Florida. Florida Tourism Tourist Local Art Artist Artwork Fantasy Harry Potter Beauty and the Beast Disney Wedding Photography Unconventional Unique Venue Sell Used New Books Bookstore Bookshop Library